Brenda Biya, the outspoken daughter of Cameroon’s long-serving President Paul Biya, has openly called on citizens not to re-elect her father, who has ruled the Central African nation for over four decades.
President Biya, 92, has been in power since 1982, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. Critics often accuse him of running Cameroon from abroad, as he spends long periods living in Switzerland while the country struggles with economic, political, and security challenges.
Brenda, who has previously been described as rebellious within the first family, has once again stirred public debate with her bold criticism of her father’s leadership. In a statement making rounds on social media, she said:
> “My father has already labelled me a prodigal daughter simply because I refuse to pretend and support his continued rule over Cameroon after 43 years. He calls me a spoiled brat for defying the dynasty and blames himself for giving me a good life. But what is a ‘good life’ without happiness?”
She went further to question whether her father’s wealth and power truly benefit ordinary Cameroonians:
> “Is life truly good when it comes at the expense of the average Cameroonian’s happiness, who yearns for freedom and peace of mind, knowing that the wealth beneath Cameroon’s soil is exploited to fund the luxuries of Western elites? Call me names, Father! But the people of Cameroon deserve freedom!”
Her comments come at a time when Cameroonians continue to face political repression, widespread unemployment, and an unresolved conflict in the English-speaking regions.
While President Biya has not directly responded to his daughter’s remarks, analysts believe Brenda’s criticism adds weight to growing calls for political transition in Cameroon, a country where many feel trapped under decades of the same leadership.
